Capto Iugulum

[Circuit]

Sorry, Jehoshua, but it's far too late now.

 

[erez87]

To the pope
Italy obviously says no. You signed a deal with us before, and than decided to retract it. Italy and the Neapolitan king will be the ones designing the new deal, and be sure, it will be much worse than what we agreed to in the treaty of Florence.

Other than that Italy states it has no interest in influencing religous organizations. Under the republic there will be an obvious separation of church and state and the pope, even the current one, will be allowed to control the holy see freely with no intervention from the Italian state whatsoever.

To the rest of the world who cares about this
Other than that as soon As a new year will come, the republic will announce its many plans for the future of Italy under its rule for the knowledge of all Italians who will be voting on the state's government.

We hope that the Neapolitan king will accept whatever the Italian people decide, even if it means he will no longer be a ruler of a nation. If the republic does win the plebiscite we will allow the king to retire and keep his title as king of Naples and Sicily, albeit with no legal power, as well as allowed to keep most of his privately held lands.

 

[Nailix]

To the rest of the world who cares about this
Other than that as soon As a new year will come, the republic will announce its many plans for the future of Italy under its rule for the knowledge of all Italians who will be voting on the state's government.

We hope that the Neapolitan king will accept whatever the Italian people decide, even if it means he will no longer be a ruler of a nation. If the republic does win the plebiscite we will allow the king to retire and keep his title as king of Naples and Sicily, albeit with no legal power, as well as allowed to keep most of his privately held lands.

This is agreeable. Naples would like to state again, should we gain the power through the elections it would be a constitutional monarchy where the majority of the power lies with the people. We were planning on moving toward this type of democratic state after our war with the Papal States but since when that war end a united Italy will be born we will allow the people to decide what government they wish to have.

 

[Terrance888]

OOC: And they choose...

Spoiler :

A THEOCRACY
Courtesy of the RNG.

 

[Luckymoose]

OOC: They choose Brazil.

 

[Jehoshua]

To the pope
Italy obviously says no. You signed a deal with us before, and than decided to retract it. Italy and the Neapolitan king will be the ones designing the new deal, and be sure, it will be much worse than what we agreed to in the treaty of Florence.

We retracted the deal under threat of invasion from several nations. It was either retract the deal or perish. In other words we had a choice. Destruction if we kept to the unratified Treaty of Florence, or have a chance at surviving if we retracted it and negotiated with the continental powers on the presumed basis of a unified italian state. Regardless it seems better that we retracted it now, considering the disgusting rhetoric of the "Italian Republic" towards us when we were discussing a new deal on the basis of a unified italy behind closed doors.

Either way, it is unfortunate but true that it appears that the continental powers have no interest in dialogue and would rather just impose themselves on anyone weaker than themselves, as the german announcement of intent to invade the papal states indicates (particularly abysmal considering Austria was our ally only a few short years ago). We have attempted to engage in dialogue, but the most of the other parties clearly have no intent to talk, nor do they have any consideration for the rights of the papal states.

Let it be known that it was not the Papal States that was unwilling to find a peaceful solution to the italian problem when german sentries hold vigil on the walls of Rome.

Pope Leo XIV.

 

[Jehoshua]

Sorry, Jehoshua, but it's far too late now.

OOC: only because certain individuals were unable to engage in dialogue. I proposed this same thing in the Continental powers social group, but it has become quite clear that most people there don't give a monkeys thrown feces about the political principles of sovereignty, or about peaceful dialogue and would rather just impose their will on the papal states simply because they can (under the insubstantial basis of disputed reparations, which is really secondary to the whole issue).

 

[Justo]

The Arabian Empire votes for Rio, Brazil for the Olympics.

 

[erez87]

The threat of invasion came because you retracted the deal, and paved the way for a German intervention with the creation of their deal, that obviously is better for Italy.

The pope is the starter of this war in Italy, if he were to note butt in Naples business none of this would have happened, for that we actually thank him. WithOut the war you declared on Naples the national movement of Italy would not have gained power.

The pope have shown nothing but a complete lack of care to the Italian people wishes, needs and freedoms.

The papal states also refused the new Friedman deal, the only one he may still accept for this year, and brought the way German judgment upon him.

The rethoric of the republic arrived after the pope showed he cares little for the Italian people, and Only for his lands and pockets and so he retracted the florence treaty to look for a better treaty with money included.

Ooc sheesh. Never try to write long diploma y with an iPad.

 

[Circuit]

OOC: only because certain individuals were unable to engage in dialogue. I proposed this same thing in the Continental powers social group, but it has become quite clear that most people there don't give a monkeys thrown feces about the political principles of sovereignty, or about peaceful dialogue and would rather just impose their will on the papal states simply because they can (under the insubstantial basis of disputed reparations, which is really secondary to the whole issue).

Frankly, no one does. And when I mean it's too late, I mean that the deadline has passed and the update is on its way regardless.

 

[Crezth]

OOC: only because certain individuals were unable to engage in dialogue. I proposed this same thing in the Continental powers social group, but it has become quite clear that most people there don't give a monkeys thrown feces about the political principles of sovereignty, or about peaceful dialogue and would rather just impose their will on the papal states simply because they can (under the insubstantial basis of disputed reparations, which is really secondary to the whole issue).

OOC: Why should they? I mean, what are the geopolitical circumstances that would lead them to do so? Much of this world is still 18-19th century in its mentality.

 

[spryllino]

OOC: It isn't anything to do with disputed reparations, anyway; it's to do with the fact that most relevant nations are taking the stance that the will of the Italian people is of higher importance than your sovereignty, and the fact that you rescinded the Treaty of Florence.

 

[Grandkhan]

OOC: Hey EQ, what was my army and navy quality in 1904? Because as I understand it, it was 12, which means that after three successive increases during three years of war it should be 15 for both, instead of 14. Is there a mistake in the stats, or am I getting something wrong?

Sorry I didn't pick up on it until right before the next update.

 

[Jehoshua]

OOC: I rescinded the thing because I got threatened with war by multiple parties should I not rescind it. It was a "die if I keep it, possibly not die if I don't thing". Either way I know precisely where I wen't wrong (keeping in character and following up with the goddam neapolitan war), really the only question from that point was "how bad would the outcome be?".

 

[m.t.cicero]

The following pronouncements are by King Leopold IV of Flanders, Chairman of the League of Continental Nations, on behalf of the League:

Naples is hereby cordially invited to membership of the League of Continental Nations. They retain the right to choosing membership either with observer or full status.

 

[EQandcivfanatic]

@Grandkhan: I believe Spain had a random event which decreased Army Quality, hence the discrepancy.

The following is just a test to make sure I have the forum syntax right for the update:

THE TREATY OF RIGA

THE GREAT WAR ENDS WITH THE TREATY OF MADRID

 

[Circuit]

Link to video.
The Eagle and Stripes, by John Phillip Sousa

It was the victory parade in Washington, D.C., on a bright warm day. Flags were waving, music was blaring, soldiers in dress uniform were marching, and crowds packs along the edges of the streets and in the buildings were waving American flags and screaming cheers.

It was a security nightmare, and made Hank Ledger's head spin.

The Washington headquarters of the Bureau of Internal Security had informed him that a known member of the American Underground, a man known as Jerome White, had managed to enter the city earlier today, and the BIS agent had lost the trail. There was no question in their mind that he would be at the parade, perhaps to attack the President. There were several agents from both the BIS and American Military Intelligence (AMI) stationed in the crowd to protect the President, and both Buz and Amy (the nicknames of the respective organizations) both wanted to take him out to get the approval, and money, of Uncle Sam. Needless to say, both Buz and Amy had managed to put a bounty to the agent (of their own organization, of course) who managed to take White out.

Ledger wanted a diamond ring to propose to his girl, so his motivation to find and kill White was quite high.

But Ledger's hopes sank when he saw an unwelcome face. It was Leibniz, the best agent Amy had. He was at the edge of the crowd on the opposite side of the street, in a tweed suit and straw hat and smug grin. He'd seen Ledger. He even tipped his hat. Ledger's face turned red. That man would beat Ledger to the rebel, and Ledger would have to wait for months to save for the ring. He kept his eyes peeled, and began fishing through the crowd, just in case that needle in a haystack managed to expose himself.

The marching band was passing, and Ledger looked to see that Leibniz had a man's arms behind his backs. The man was struggling and issuing curses while Leibniz yanked him towards the back. Looking closely, he fit the description of White--short, brown hair, and a broad handlebar mustache--and Leibniz did seem to have a rather pleased look. Ledger cursed. Seems Amy had won this one. Seemed he'd have to put off bed with Sally several more months. Dejected, Ledger made his way to the back of the crowd.

He made a stop at the toilet and was returning to the crowd, figuring he might as well watch out for other characters, or more likely just watch the parade. While walking, a man bumped into him. "Sorry, sir," the man said, in a New York accent, as he hurried past, looking flustered.

The Yankee accent got Ledger's mind churning. That man... he also seemed to seem to fit the description of White as well, save for the mustache. But mustaches could be shaved off. Ledger decided to trail the man, just in case he turned out to be a threat.

He was right behind the man, who was not too far from the edge of the crowd. The pitch of the crowd rose, for President Wareing was riding in the parade on a tall white horse, smiling (a rare sight) and waving, looking like the victor. The man before Ledger started to fidget, grasping around his body for something. Then, out of his pocket, he pulled out a small pistol, slowly lifting it.

That was all Ledger needed to see. Ledger flipped out a knife, which was in his pocket, then swiftly stabbed the man in his back where he knew he would puncture the lung, so the man couldn't scream. The man started grasping behind his back, while Ledger held him, but soon fell limp. A woman saw Ledger, and was about to scream, when Ledger used his other hand to cover her mouth. He then put his finger to his mouth for silence, then mocked slitting his throat to send the message of what would happen if she said anything. He then made his way to the back of the crowd with the body.

He found a clearing, away from the crowd in an alleyway. He searched the man's body for any identification. In one of the pockets, he found a note from the American Underground, addressed to Jerome White. Ledger was silently ecstatic. With Buz's win today, he'd be a few months closer to bed with Sally.

 

[Grandkhan]

@Grandkhan: I believe Spain had a random event which decreased Army Quality, hence the discrepancy.

I can't find the event, but I'll take your word for it. Cool, thanks.

 

[theDright]

Captain Alberto Werther gazed across the field, his new unbroken army boots digging painfully into his soles. The weather was cold and wet in England, especially compared with Buenos Aires. Certainly wetter than the foothills of the Andes where he'd undergone basic training. Today was just another exercise; training for some operation whose may or may not take place in the coming months. Army life as a captain of a company of conscripts hadn't been too difficult these past few months, but he hadn't anticipated the unexpected hardships. The Army's food was just awful. How the regimental cooks could turn good Argentine beef into such a tasteless mush was unbelievable. His valet Fred was completely incompetent as well. Twice in the last week he had had to wait for the idiot to finish brushing the mud from his jacket, making him late for the officer's mess. He knew that when they got to see some real action, a dirty jacket would be the least of his worries.

After those treacherous Brandenburgers had deserted the Poles and the Hungarians to Russia, the Allied war in eastern Europe had been lost. Argentina's sole military concern was to finish grinding Spain and Portugal into dust. Alberto didn't think that it would be easy or quick, but to keep the Spanish out of America forever, it was definitely worth it. At least he'd have some war stories to share with his father back home.

The English had been quite welcoming as well to their small division. He'd tried all sorts of interesting English food at dinners he'd been to; the quality varying based upon the host's kitchen. No cook seemed to know how to make beef right. The people always seemed delighted when meeting them, but he couldn't be quite sure; many of the locals had accents that were almost incomprehensible to his ears. They might as well as be speaking German. Glancing back toward camp, he saw Fred running toward him.

“Captain Werther! Captain Werther! Have you heard the news?”

“What news, Fred? Another training mission? Another dinner?”

“No sir. The war's over. Your father signed a peace with Spain. We got everything we wanted and more! Isn't that wonderful?”

“Yes, Fred, that's...wonderful.” Alberto couldn't help but feel cheated; he'd been preparing for months and the greatest war in history had passed him by without a story worth telling.

 

[TheLastJacobite]

"Your life is no longer is your own. From this day forth, it belongs to the Emperor."
That idea had been drilled into them day in and day out since the training had started six months ago. It was an easy concept to accept in the Russian Army. With somewhere between 3-7 million fellow soldiers, depending on the casualties, it wasn't hard to see your own existence as being meaningless. But unlike other units, Dmitri's new brigade was trained to think for themselves.

The two hard faced recruiters had approached him after he'd made himself a bit of a legend in the old 501st Guards Brigade when he'd single handedly captured a British machine gun position. It hadn't been too difficult, what with it being night time and most of the foreign dogs being asleep, and Dmitri being very, very quiet, but it was an accomplishment none the less. The two officers had informed him that his "act of bravery and daring" had garnered the attention of the Emperor himself and would he mind coming with them to discuss the transfer to his new unit? He realized it had not really been a question and had grabbed his gear and gone along.

The training had been brutal. Several recruits had died, which was to be expected in the Russian Army, but these men were the best the Rodina had to offer. Dmitri had thought he knew everything there was to know about warfare after 2 years in the Army, but Sgt. Goyavin quickly proven him wrong. His new rifle, a short SL-5 Carbine, fired much faster than his old 1895, weighed less and was almost a dream to handle. They'd been drilled in unarmed and hand-to-hand combat far more than before, as they were told they would be far closer to the enemy than usual.

They had graduated without pomp, simply being told that their training was complete and now the hard work began. They had boarded the train, a nice carriage car by Army standards, and headed for the front. When they arrived, trucks had been waiting for them. Other vehicles had pulled aside and the road ahead was cleared as the trucks bounced along in the predawn hours, headlights turned to narrow slits by black paper. The men in the backs of the trucks painted their faces black and dark green to make them blend in more with the night. Their uniforms were black and unadorned except for the patch on their right arm, covered with a small flap so as not to show the bright red unit sigil to the enemy. Dmitri had briefed again the men again, his voice straining over the engine noise and grinding gears.
"The Emperor has demanded we capture this building for him and by God we're going to!"

They had been dropped off several blocks from the building and had infiltrated on foot the rest of the way. Other squads moved to cover the back and sides, while Dmitri and his men approached the front. There were no enemy contacts, not even a sentry. Not a good sign. With a nod from Dmitri, one of the men sprinted forward and kicked down the front door. The Russian soldiers poured into the huge building from all sides. They made their way down to the vault, all the while without seeing a single Pole. They found the safe door completely open, the vault inside empty. Intel had been too late. The Royal gold was gone.

Dawn was breaking as they emerged from the Polish Treasury, disgusted and disappointed that their first mission had failed. Suddenly, a sharp whistle broke the morning calm. The men quickly took cover. A pair of armored cars rolled down the street, escorting a half dozen trucks. Dmitri stepped out of the doorway into the street, catching the attention of the lead car. The machine gun traversed around to point a him as he held up both his hands. A surly looking sergeant jumped out the back of one of the trucks along with a number of conscripts. "And just who in the hell are you? We have orders from Command to secure this building!"
Dmitri smiled. "I am Captain Dmitri Dmitrivich Reznov, Viscount of Riga." He reached up and bared the patch on his right arm, showing a single red hand. As he continued speaking, the rest of the squad seemed to melt out of the darkness and materialize around the convoy, guns leveled. "My men and I are from a new unit, handpicked by the Emperor himself. We are The Emperor's Hand and you would do wise to stay out of our way."